Thailand's export growth set to meet 2006 target

Thai export growth in 2006 would reach a targeted 15-17.5 percent, despite of current strong baht, according to a senior commerce ministry official.

Chantra Purnariksha, director general of Export Promotion Department, was quoted by the Thai News Agency on Sunday as saying that the country's export is expected to grow to more than 130 billion U.S. dollars this year as orders continued to roll in.

The country's exchange rate now stood at about 38 baht for one U.S. dollar, causing widespread concern that the strong local currency would have an impact on this year's export figure.

The baht was unlikely to remain strong for long and would not affect exports, she said.

In March, the country's export would increase by more than 10 percent on a year-on-year base to reach 8 billion U.S. dollars, she said.

Furniture exports had risen after a recent major furniture fair, she said, adding that more than 100 Japanese importers had placed orders for Thai frozen fruits, food and household goods.

The Export Promotion Department is now negotiating with major foreign-owned department stores in China in an attempt to display Thai goods at their stores.

In a bid to fulfill the export target, the department will also hold a meeting on April 19 of Thai trade representatives from 57 offices throughout the world.

Source: Xinhua